Committee publication · Correspondence · 2 June 2026
Correspondence from the Minister for the Cabinet Office, relating to the Government’s Response to the Committee's UK-EU reset Report, dated 21 May 2026
From: Foreign Affairs Committee
Inquiry: The UK-EU reset: rebuilding a strategic partnership in uncertain times
Summary
The Minister for the Cabinet Office responds to the Foreign Affairs Committee's UK-EU reset report, defending the Government's transparency record while acknowledging negotiation sensitivities. The Minister offers further engagement, including a commitment to appear before the Committee after the next UK-EU Summit, and notes the European Partnership Bill will undergo standard parliamentary scrutiny.
Key findings
- Government claims commitment to transparency through parliamentary statements and Select Committee evidence sessions, with multiple ministerial appearances across committees.
- Minister acknowledges the nature of negotiations prevents running commentary to protect negotiating positions and teams.
- Government reaffirms manifesto objectives for UK-EU relationship as the basis for negotiating strategy.
- European Partnership Bill will be scrutinised through normal parliamentary processes.
- Minister offers to appear before the Committee following the next UK-EU Summit.
Government position
The Government accepts the Committee's engagement and values its assessment, while partially accepting the transparency critique. It maintains that full disclosure during negotiations is impractical but commits to further parliamentary scrutiny via the European Partnership Bill and additional ministerial appearances. The Government defends its current transparency posture through existing committee evidence sessions and parliamentary statements.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Nick Thomas-Symonds, Emily Thornberry, Minister for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories, Foreign Affairs Committee, Cabinet Office
Notable line
“… the nature of negotiations means it is not possible to provide a running commentary in order to protect our negotiating teams and their positions.”
Key Quotes
“| want to stress how much | value the Committee's assessment of the work we are doing to deliver the UK-EU Strategic Partnership, and assure you that | take your points seriously.”
“… the nature of negotiations means it is not possible to provide a running commentary in order to protect our negotiating teams and their positions.”
“| would be happy to appear before the Committee following the next UK-EU Summit.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗